Around the Industry - September 2013

Duckling gets saved at carwash

HUNSTANTON, NORFOLK, UK — A mallard duckling who got stuck in a supermarket chain’s carwash was taken to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals’ East Winch Wildlife Centre and is reportedly doing fine.

According to the EPD24.co.uk story, carwash employees discovered the duckling trapped in the wash and rescued him. They tried to return him to his mother but she ran off with her other ducklings.

“As this little fella is doing okay, I think it is fair to say that he hadn’t taken to this car wash like a duck to water,” Alison Charles, manager at the RSPCA Centre said in the story.

Following the ordeal the duckling was given glucose by mouth and put under a heat lamp to dry.

Nielsen-led study shows apps are an increasingly used tool

A new report shows that two-thirds of convenience store shoppers use mobile devices as their primary research tool for all digitally-based purchasing decisions.

The Nielsen-led study found mobile users spend 6 minutes on average researching gas prices and 49 percent of convenience store/gas shoppers rely on apps to discover nearby locations. The study also found that 69 percent of those consumers choose where they will purchase gasoline and goods because of price and location.

“We had a great event at Kwik Car Wash, “Project Healing Waters volunteer Linda Boyce said in a press release. “With the funds raised from the event, we are able to take disabled veterans on fly-fishing trips free of charge.”

In conjunction with the Project Healing Waters Event, Kwik Car Wash held their annual customer appreciation BBQ and Great Grill Give-Away. Kwik Car Wash gave away two Char-Broil grills.

Kwik Car Wash has several other fundraisers planned for the summer including benefits for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, Rotary Club of Parker and Youth and Pet Survivors.

Boomerang raises money for OK tornado victims

LITTLE ROCK, AK ― Boomerang Carwash, one of the larger carwash chains in the nation, was getting ready to launch a new product at its sites, when a tornado hit, destroying and devastating several parts of Oklahoma, a press release reported.

The June 17 press release quoted Ed Colvard, the vice president of Boomerang, who stated, “During the recovery efforts the news was full of stories of help and support from the local communities as well as many support groups from around the company. We wanted to do our part."

Colvard said they used their media efforts planned to launch the product to help bring awareness to the Red Cross. "We were fortunate not to have damage to anyone of our seven facilities there, and because we are a part of this community, too we are proud to share.”

Carwash participates in food drive

Sam’s offered a carwash to customers who donated 12 or more food items during the drive.

"We have seen the total number of individuals served increase by 45 percent over those served in June 2012. This increase comes as we are experiencing a decrease in individual monetary and food donations," said Pastor’s Pantry Marketing Coordinator Brenda Houser, in the The-Dispatch.com story. "When there are pockets of improvement in the economy, charities don't always stay top of mind. We also know folks are being asked to help by so many good organizations at the same time."

7-Eleven sues Visa and MasterCard

7-Eleven has filed suit against Visa and MasterCard. The suit focuses on swipe fees.

The suit comes after 7-Eleven rejected a multibillion dollar settlement in an antitrust case.

“Once Visa and MasterCard acquired substantial market power over merchants, they maintained it by forcing merchants to pay even higher interchange fees to continue to fund these price-fixing schemes,” the retailers said in the complaint filed in a Brooklyn, New York Federal Court.

According to the Bloomberg.com story 7-Eleven has joined Amazon, CVS Pharmacy, Target and Macy’s in filing their own suits.

Happy Days named best carwash

MISSOULA, MO — Happy Days carwash was named Best Car Wash in the Missoula Independent reader’s poll.

“Happy Days carwash gets it done faster, typically cheaper and you don’t have to lift a finger,” the story said in their write-up.

Dazzlers and Splash placed second and third in the poll.

Washly launches iPhone app

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA — Mobile carwash and detailing service Washly has launched an app to make scheduling appointments for the service easier.

The app also enables you to specify which of Washly’s services you are purchasing, according to the press release.

Presently the app is only available for the iPhone.

Rocket Express Car Wash takes top spot in readers' poll

TWIN FALLS, ID — For the third consecutive year Rocket Express Car Wash has been voted the best carwash by the readers of the Times-News.

According to the MagicValley.com story, the owners bought the property intending on building a strip mall, however when the economy hit the skids they decided a carwash was a more sound investment.

Rocket Express co-owner Janet Russell says she is often told by patrons that the carwash is the best in town.

“People tell me that they can hear the difference,” Russell said. “They don’t just see they have a clean car but they can actually hear the car being washed while they’re on the track.”

Carwash holds Autism fundraisers

WEST NORRITON, PA — The West Norriton Auto Wash has held several fundraisers for Autism research after developing a relationship with seven-year-old AJ Tomovcsik and his family.

AJ, diagnosed with Autism at 18-months, was unable to cope with loud and sudden noises. Following several trips to the carwash AJ was soon able to become more comfortable with both according to the Times Herald story.

“In the beginning, AJ covered his ears with his hands or listened to music on headphones,” AJ’s mother Carmen Tomovcsik said, “But before too long, he started watching everything that was going on, and within a month, he seemed pretty comfortable with it.”

The family now heads to the carwash three or four times a week.

Cryo-detailing gains traction

A Porsche-pioneered advanced detailing technique is starting to garner attention in the auto-care world.

Known as cryo-detailing, the process involves “blasting undercarriage components with cold, pressurized carbon dioxide and air,” according to the autos.sympatico.ca story.

The frozen dirt is then blown away leaving neither residue nor grime.

Presently the technique is used to clean chassis and engine components.

Detail shop pitches in to give grad a gift

CARLTON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — A recent high school graduate won a 2004 Ford Focus supplied by a local auto garage P.A. Auto Wreckers and Salvage, Midtown Transmission and Auto Care, P.A. Auto Body NAPA Auto Parts and Klunkerz, a local detail shop.

Dustin Vick won the car at Carlton Comprehensive High School’s after-grad event.

The businesses did all of the work on the vehicle free of charge for the high school the Prince Albert Daily Herald reported.

Carwash named small business of the year

SACRAMENTO, CA — Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash of Antioch was named Small Business of the Year for the 11th Assembly district.

“Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash is a prime example of how a small business can be both successful and environmentally friendly,” Assemblyman Jim Frazier said in the Antioch Herald story.

Pinky’s owners Juan Chen-Olsen and Dave Olsen recently took ownership of the wash and developed it into a 75 percent recycling wash facility.